Chapter 512: Chapter 46 Sealing the Mountain
Inside Taixu Hall, a hush fell.
True Man Qingding was the mastermind behind all this, and now he had been slain by Qingxu True Monarch.
It seemed there was no longer any need to continue the investigation.
But only Li Fei knew something was amiss. For in the Dream Realm:
On the day the Elixir went missing, Qingxu True Monarch was definitely present at the place where Qingding was performing Alchemy, and even personally handed over the Elixir.
Therefore, it was highly likely that Qingxu True Monarch was also one of the conspirators behind the scenes!
Just then, True Man Qingxia, who had led Li Fei and the other inside, abruptly spoke up.
Everyone turned their attention to her, wondering why she chose this moment to raise a doubt.
True Man Qingxia looked at Ning Shi, who was kneeling on the ground, “You said that it was Qingding… that True Man Qingding ordered you and Ning Qi to attack my disciple Ai Liangshan, creating the false appearance of the Elixir’s loss. How did you kill him? Why is it that after many attempts to divine Ai Liangshan’s cause of death with the Cloud Soul Bell, there were no results?”
Li Fei glanced at True Man Qingxia, and now he finally understood that the disciple he had possessed was named Ai Liangshan.
He was True Man Qingxia’s disciple.
True Man Qingyun frowned and looked at True Man Qingxia, his eyes filled with clear dissatisfaction.
Even if there were doubts, why did she have to raise them publicly and make their sect the butt of jokes?
However, True Man Qingxia ignored True Man Qingyun’s gaze, her eyes firmly fixed on Ning Shi, who remained kneeling.
Ning Shi replied, “Before we set out, Master gave each of us a talisman, reminding us to wear it on our person so that no traces would be found afterwards.”
“What kind of talisman was it?”
True Man Qingxia leaned forward, intensifying her tone.
Ning Shi’s body trembled, shook his head, and said, “Disciple does not recognize it, but it felt extremely profound and had the power to conceal any trace of divine intervention.”
True Man Qingxia wanted to further question, but True Man Qingyun lost his patience and shouted sternly:
He had been in charge of Daluo Sect’s discipline for many years and had amassed considerable authority.
Qingxia hesitated, bit her lip, and ultimately did not continue her queries.
Another silence settled over the Great Hall.
Qingxu True Monarch looked at Li Fei and Luo Shi, and slowly began:
“Although the loss of the Elixir was caused by Qingding, and he has been executed, he has secretly hoarded materials and forged False Pills to deceive Your Majesty over the years. As the Master of Daluo Sect, I bear an inescapable responsibility!”
With that, he stood up from his seat.
As he did, all the powerful members of the Daluo Sect in the hall rose to their feet.
Li Fei and Luo Shi also quickly stood up.
“Daluo Sect regrets our failure to honor Your Majesty’s trust in the matter of compounding the Lifespan Extension Pill, and all personnel involved in this matter will be handed over to the court for disposition. Moreover, starting from today, Daluo Sect will close its doors for self-reflection for ten years!”
Qingxu True Monarch’s voice echoed throughout the entire Taixu Hall.
It was like a clap of thunder!
At these words, everyone was shocked.
“Elder Brother, this must not happen!”
“Sect Master, why go to such lengths?”
The crowd began to advise against it.
Li Fei was also taken aback by Qingxu True Monarch’s decision.
The grand Daoist ancestral seat was actually going to close for ten years?
It meant much more than simply not having contact with the outside world or accepting new disciples for ten years.
It meant that Daluo Sect was voluntarily cutting off its influence on the outside world, to remain ‘silent’ for a decade.
At a time when Upper Pure Sect had suddenly ‘turned its back,’ for Daluo Sect to choose to close its doors for ten years was nothing short of abdicating the position of ‘leader’!
Moreover, it was not just internal conflicts within Taoism. The court had already publicly elevated the status of Buddhism, and a ‘Buddhist-Taoist contention’ seemed imminent. Yet Daluo Sect, as the ancestral seat of Taoism, was sealing itself off at this critical moment.
How then could Taoism compete with Buddhism?
The impact of Daluo Sect’s closure was far-reaching!
Qingxu raised his hand, stopping everyone from further advising:
“No matter what, Qingding’s deception of the Emperor is a fact. Daluo Sect ought to give an explanation to the court, to Your Majesty!”
These words silenced everyone.
The matter of deceiving the Emperor was indeed not trivial. It was better for Qingxu True Monarch to take the initiative than to wait for the Emperor’s ‘thunderous wrath.’
But the cost was perhaps too great…
Only because Qingxu True Monarch, who had managed Daluo Sect for nearly sixty years, with deep-rooted authority, could forcibly suppress everyone’s objections.
“Both of you may inform His Majesty of Daluo Sect’s decision.”
Qingxu True Monarch said to Li Fei and Luo Shi.
This was a clear indication that it was time for them to leave.
“What True Monarch has said today, I will convey verbatim to His Majesty.”
Li Fei bowed to Qingxu True Monarch, “However, we were ordered to investigate, and if today we simply return to Lanling City after only listening to a single statement, I’m afraid we wouldn’t be able to explain to His Majesty. I ask that True Monarch permit us to stay at Daluo Sect for a while longer to conduct an investigation into this case.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Shi’s face turned pale, and he swiftly turned to look at Li Fei, his eyes wide with shock.
Qingxu True Monarch had publicly announced a ten-year closure, and the Emperor would likely be satisfied with this resolution and not seek further punishment. Yet Li Fei dared to bring up the investigation?
Was he truly fearless of death?!
Sure enough, upon hearing this, many of the strong figures present glared menacingly at Li Fei, and numerous piercing gazes fell upon him, causing Li Fei to feel a mountainous pressure!
Li Fei remained unflustered, keeping his hands clasped in a gesture of respect.
Qingxu True Monarch looked at Li Fei calmly, paused for a few seconds, then said indifferently:
“Indeed, since it is an investigation, one must not listen to only one side. Following this, you may question anyone related to the case. You may examine any evidence related to the case. Qingyun.”